Chapter 3

The night before John came to Bayview City, I was discharged from the hospital and went home.

The air still carried the lingering scent of Emily's perfume.

Michael stepped out of his study, his handsome face icy and full of disdain. He locked eyes with me, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips. "Did you tell them we're getting divorced?"

Before I could answer, he let out a cold laugh and kept talking, not even bothering to wait for my response. "You really know how to play dirty. Who are you trying to intimidate? Who are you trying to manipulate?

"Is it just because I didn't buy you the cake you wanted? Why do you always have to take everything from Emily?"

He suddenly stormed over, grabbed my collar, and dragged me toward the front door.

Still weak from my illness, I couldn't fight back. I stumbled and fell, and he dragged me out of the villa like a bag of garbage, tossing me outside the front gate.

Just before I lost consciousness, I saw the look in Michael's eyes—disgust, but also that unshakable confidence.

"Come back when you've finally figured things out," he said coldly.

He was so sure I'd throw a fit, cause a scene, maybe even threaten to hurt myself just like before. He was convinced I'd come crawling back.

I had no strength left, and my vision was blurry.

Three years into our marriage, I was passed out in front of my own house like a bag of trash.

The smell of disinfectant hit me as soon as I woke up in the hospital again.

It wasn't a cold hospital room.

John was right there by my side, and I could see the worry in his eyes, plain as day.

"Charlotte, are you feeling any better?" he asked.

He'd come a day earlier than planned, and never imagined he'd stumble upon such a scene right outside my house.

Tears filled my eyes in an instant. I tried to sit up, but he pressed me gently back onto the bed.

"Don't get up. Lily, your junior, went to get you some food. You're still really sick, and your body hasn't recovered yet, so just lie down and rest," he said.

"You know... I'm just glad you've finally come to your senses. I've been saying from the start that he's not good enough for you," he added.

He looked at my face, gaunt from illness, his face full of concern and sympathy. He wanted to sigh, but swallowed it down.

"Oh, right..." John took out a divorce agreement and an offer letter, handing them to me.

His face was solemn.

It was just like the day he moved my graduation tassel at my master's ceremony. Even after all these years, he hadn't changed at all.

I smiled.

Seeing that the start date on the offer letter was the same as the court date, I signed my name carefully.

As night fell, I ate the strawberry cake Lily picked up for me.

John and Lily didn't want to leave at first, but I insisted. They kept looking back at me as they walked away, promising to come back early the next morning to keep me company.

The night was quiet, but outside my window, the giant digital billboard celebrating Emily's birthday was still flashing.

My phone kept buzzing with messages from Michael.

Just then, someone burst through the door.

"Charlotte!" Michael's eyes were full of anxiety. He was clutching a cake box in one hand and two cups of coffee in the other. Behind him, his secretary was lugging a heavy thermos, looking like it weighed a ton.

Michael strode over, grabbed my wrist, urgency still burning in his eyes. Without hesitation, he pulled me right off the bed. "Emily's hurt and wants you to cook for her. Get up, you're coming with me. Right now."

I felt dizzy and almost collapsed, barely keeping myself from hitting the floor.

Seeing myself in a hospital gown, I couldn't help but look up at him and ask. "Can't you see I'm sick too?"

Michael didn't even turn around, his tone laced with urgency rather than anger. "You think I can't see right through your scheme? You've already been discharged. You're totally fine. Stop faking it just to get my attention."